District Approves Using $4.6M from Capital Reserve for Athletic Complex

After three hours of debate among members of the Lynbrook Board of Education and village residents Wednesday night at Lynbrook High School, the school board elected to use money from the district's capital reserve fund to build an athletic complex at South Middle School.

The board voted 4-3 for the project, which at this point, is estimated to cost about $4.6 million. The athletic complex would include a turf field, an all-weather track, bleachers, locker rooms, lights, a scoreboard and a concession stand.

Taking $4.6 million out of the capital reserve would leave about $500,000 in that fund, district officials said, but they expect that amount to double next year with leftover funds from completed capital projects.

There was some debate whether certain aspects of the project could be left out, either to complete at a later date or to be included in the project if the bids come in lower than anticipated. At this point, the board has elected to use the medium-quality track infill for the new track, with the option to upgrade if there is money left.

Though most trustees and residents agreed that an athletic complex would benefit the students of the district, many questioned if it would be prudent to spend the money elsewhere, like on needed capital improvement projects at district buildings, or bond the project instead.

Some of the capital projects on the district's radar include air conditioning at various elementary schools, the installation of an elevator and possible music room addition at North Middle School, new lighting at the high school, and new bleachers and exterior gym doors at South Middle School.

"My feeling is it's a wise thing to do at this point because the money is there," said Lynbrook superintendent Dr. Santo Barbarino. "We have a tremendous number of students participating in activities whom this will benefit directly. I also think it's the perfect opportunity, given the fact that it does not impact the budget. It doesn't raise my taxes as a resident here, it doesn't raise anyone's taxes. What it does do is provide a facility that will bring us where I think we should be."

Using capital reserve money does not affect the budget or tax levy because it is voted on as a separate proposition. Some board members, however, expressed interest in waiting on the project, as there are still many challenges facing school districts, including the possibility of a state property tax cap being imposed in the near future.

"My concern is there's still a lot of dust kicking around Albany, there's still a lot of dust kicking around the economy, and $4.65 million from the capital reserve will nearly deplete that reserve," said trustee Robert Paskoff, adding that a tax cap would significantly limit what the district could do financially and make it difficult to fully replenish reserve funds in the future. He referenced the ongoing study by the district's Strategic Planning Committee, which is working to develop school priorities and identify areas in which the district needs improvement. "I believe the field complex would be part of that report," he said.

Lynbrook resident Brad Kiefer had a similar opinion. "I have a problem with the large size of this project," he said. "I think without knowing what we'd be doing in the future with the rest of the facilities, could hamper what you want to do. I think spending $40,000 [on the strategic planning study] and not understanding this is like throwing our money away."

The project also had its supporters. Resident Gary Kaplan said that he feels it's the responsibility of the residents to provide the proper facilities for the district's athletes to remain competitive.

"This is not, as some people have said, keeping up with the Jones'," he said. "But what it is doing, by not doing this, we are standing still and in fact moving backwards. We will be viewed, the perception — and probably the reality — of the community, is that we're behind the times, that Lynbrook is antiquated, that we're out of touch, we're out of date. And that perception is going to take a significant amount of time to overcome."

Though the board approved the using of capital reserve funds for the athletic complex, a majority of residents must vote in favor of the district actually spending the money. They can vote on the proposition on May 17 — the same day as the budget vote and school board election.